Former Red Sox GM Epstein to rejoin team
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width=10> </TD><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD noWrap>
Jan. 19, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>BOSTON -- Theo Epstein is rejoining the
Boston Red Sox, 2
½ months after he turned down a three-year, $4.5 million offer to remain as general manager.
Epstein and Red Sox management issued a joint statement Thursday saying he will return to the organization full-time, but they did not specify his capacity except to say it will be in baseball operations. His return had been rumored almost since the day he slipped out of Fenway Park wearing a borrowed gorilla costume to avoid the media.
"As you know, we have spoken frequently during the last 10 weeks. We have engaged in healthy, spirited debates about what it will take over the long-term for the Red Sox to remain a great organization and, in fact, become a more effective organization in philosophy, approaches and ideals," the statement said.
"Ironically, Theo's departure has brought us closer together in many respects, and, thanks to these conversations, we now enjoy the bonds of a shared vision for the organizations future that did not exist on October 31. With this vision in place, Theo will return to the Red Sox in a full-time baseball operations capacity, details of which will be announced next week."
The statement came from Epstein, principal owner John Henry, chairman Tom Werner, president Larry Lucchino and Epstein.
Reports that Lucchino's role would be diminished to lure Epstein back were not true, Henry said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
"Larry's role does not change," he said. "Details next week."
Epstein was 28 when he was hired in 2002, the youngest general manager in the history of the major leagues.
Boston was the AL wild-card team in all three years he was GM, and in 2004 the Red Sox won their first World Series title since 1918 after making a series of trades that included the departure of Nomar Garciaparra.
But Epstein walked away from a deal that would have quadrupled his salary.
Lucchino hired the Brookline native and Yale graduate in Baltimore, then brought him to San Diego and then Boston.
"Larry and I like each other," Epstein said after he stepped down. "As with any other working relationship there are complexities, there are ups and downs. ...
"This is a job you have to give your whole heart and soul to," he said. "In the end, after a long period of reflection about myself and the program, I decided I could no longer put my whole heart and soul into it."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9176097
